Katadyn Vario Purifier for Camping Water Treatment

Katadyn Vario purifier is one of the popular portable water filtration or purification systems often included in camping trip checklists. It can provide a great tasting drinking water during a camping trip so that bad tasting water will not ruin your wilderness journey. Water-borne diseases, harmful bacteria and other microscopic creatures may contaminate the streams near the camping locations.

How the manufacturer describes the features

• A simple turn engages a ceramic pre-filter for long life in dirty water or a pleated glass fiber filter in normal conditions
• Produces up to two quarts per minute in the faster flow mode and one quart per minute in longer life mode
• Replaceable carbon core keeps water tasting fresh; reduces chemicals, odors, and toxins throughout the life of the cartridge
• Dual piston technology provides maximum output with minimum effort
• Adapter base attaches directly to water bottles or an output hose can be used to fill hydration systems or larger containers

What Real Users think

PROS

• You can rely on the Vario purifier to deliver quality drinking water for anyone traveling to locations where you don't know if you can trust the water where they are not familiar with the quality of streams.
• Easy to hook up directly to a refillable water bottle, like Nalgene, ensuring that there will be no chance of contamination. Easy to assemble, easy to use, and a great price.
• The pumping motion is easy to use and it pumps a lot more water even on the "Longer life" (slow) setting than other filters. Pumping water takes less effort.
• The 2-stage filter with activated charcoal to remove chemicals, pesticides & bad taste works great. The ceramic pre-filter was great. Filtered water looks pure, clear and tasted great.
• Pumps and filters faster and water taste better than most household pitcher filters.

CONS:

• The backpressure and leaking problem could potentially contaminate your filtered water if you're not careful.
• Although lightweight, it’s bulky and may not fit into most camping backpack.
• The filter takes took long (several days) to dry out.
• During extreme cold weather water could freeze over the ceramic filter and may lead to more leakage from sides.

If you are shopping for a camping equipments that will include a water purifier, the Vario Multi Flow Water Microfilter may be the best purification option to provide great tasting drinking water during your adventure in the wilderness.  Get rid of water-borne diseases, harmful bacteria that may contaminate the streams near the camping locations.